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Conversations About Surfing

364 - The Grit! March 20, 2026 03/20/2026

364 - The Grit! March 20, 2026 In today’s show The Grit! influence finds it’s way to Tom Curren, Caio Ibelli delivers an ominous warning to new CT qualifiers, Israel joins the Tour, elitists SoCal surfers show how abandon your corporate overlords, Chas designs a plan to fix Malibu while David manifests never coveting it, and they begin a petition to get paternity wildcards for beleaguered WSL fathers-to-be. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40563690

363 - The Grit! March 13, 2026 03/13/2026

363 - The Grit! March 13, 2026 In today’s episode David and Chas delve deep into the Harvey Weinstein and WSL connection and determine when to distance yourself from lecherous friends, analyze the veracity of Joel Tudor’s accusations against Kelly Slater for his BJJ stolen belt valor, dig into the devastation of soft tops for the culture and the environment, learn the worst possible place to camp on a surf trip, and discover why you should definitely book dance lessons for you and your spouse. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40446780

449 - Spit! March 11, 2026 03/11/2026

449 - Spit! March 11, 2026 In today’s show David and Scott find the verified truth about the irrepressible Reno Abellira, sift through Joel Tudor’s latest fiery tirade, update their Survival League with the latest CT qualifiers, take the toll on the environmental devastation caused by soft tops, take a peek inside the cult of Skip Frye, and bare witness to the single greatest ride ever at Puerto Escondido. Plus Dukes and Kooks! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40401860

362 - The Grit! March 6, 2026 03/06/2026

362 - The Grit! March 6, 2026 In today’s show Chas confronts (and maybe reconciles) his longboard spite, Tony Hawk teaches Kelly Slater a lesson in how to contribute to the surf community while David designs a plan for redemption for Slater through exorcism, Gerry Lopez gets outed as a member of an elite secret society, Steph becomes an actual Barbie doll, and we learn which is the best culinary contraband to bring into the lineup. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40346800

361 - The Grit! February 28, 2026 02/28/2026

361 - The Grit! February 28, 2026 In today’s show David and Chas investigate the ISA’s latest bid to devalue the WSL and bolster their own reputation as the governing body of competitive surfing, discover Taylor Knox’s new career opportunity as Hollywood stunt double, one listener confronts a shocking revelation of how he almost imploded his happy marriage, and Chas is forced to reckon with a heartbreaking realization. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40265685

586 - Brenden "Margo" Margieson 02/26/2026

586 - Brenden "Margo" Margieson Genre defining pro freesurfer of the 90s, Margo, joins us to discuss ushering pro surfing from cottage to corporate, humility gleaned while working as a baggage handler, how a passion for bird watching led to his greatest work, and what sparked the revival in his surf career at age 50. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40247045

447 - Spit! February 26, 2026 02/26/2026

447 - Spit! February 26, 2026 In today’s show Scott and David analyze whether longboarding still fits into their surf experience, the virtues of EPS, how the new ISA qualification system reveals a power move for a competing governing body of surfing and a wrestling of power away from the WSL, they profess a deep love for the people of Mexico in response to the recent wanton violence erupting in the streets, and debate the relevance of wave pool clips. Plus Dukes and Kooks! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40244375

360 - The Grit! February 20, 2026 02/20/2026

360 - The Grit! February 20, 2026 In today’s show David and Chas share the harrowing details of Kolohe’s recent near tragedy, report on the massive shakeup underfoot of Gabriel Medina, pit Chris Hemsworth vs Josh Brolin in the ultimate surf celeb battle, learn why a pedicure may be the ultimate sign of a core surfer, and discover why rum may be JJF’s secret weapon. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40179905

446 - Spit! February 19, 2026 02/19/2026

446 - Spit! February 19, 2026 In today’s show David and Scott discuss their dichotomous views on the latest Kelly Slater blacklight reveal, survey the shifting global safety warning regarding Central America, check-in with the mental health status of pros who get too much too soon, uncomfortably laugh at The Hawk’s bad behavior, bid farewell to the latest wave pool dismissal, and bow down to their ocean brethren who don’t even attempt to stand up. Plus Dukes or Kooks! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40165935

585 - Roger Hinds 02/18/2026

585 - Roger Hinds In today’s show board builder Roger Hinds shares strategies to fend off the old man and continue surfing the North Shore into your 70s, offers a lesson in why original board building materials are still relevant and which modern fabrics offer advancement, reveals why the real threat to domestic board building may come from within, reflects on the reward of restoring historic boards, and explains how to improve your surfing by watching 50 year old surf films. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40155175

359 - The Grit! February 13, 2026 02/13/2026

359 - The Grit! February 13, 2026 In today’s show Chas and David reveal while “betrayal” may be an understatement by Britt Merrick about his adopted brother Kelly Slater, they question if perhaps there is such a thing as bad publicity, learn that Tony Robbin’s due diligence lacks thoroughness, $13k is up for grabs to a female filmmaker, why your next Fish will also cost you a diamond bracelet, and discover that one famed surf musician carries the burden of the most unfortunate doppelgänger association. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40103930

445 - Spit! February 11, 2026 02/11/2026

445 - Spit! February 11, 2026 In today’s show Scott and David discuss the pivot away from surfing for Stab In The Dark and investigate and speculate on the rift between Kelly and the Merrick’s, reflect on Biolos’ transition from anti-contest shaper to poster boy for competitive surfing, celebrate the break out star of the series, wish for a more selfless Slater, analyze the benefit of a rigid foam blank, and gawk at one of the most harrowing drops ever a Killers. Plus Dukes and Kooks! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40076945

358 - The Grit! February 6, 2026 02/06/2026

358 - The Grit! February 6, 2026 In today’s show Chas and David mark an exponential growth spurt across the entire Challenger Series and try to pinpoint the catalyst, reveal the subtle juke from JJF regarding naming his kid, ponder if it’s ever acceptable to have your dad fight your fights, celebrate the man who brought surfing to it’s simultaneous highest and lowest points, and discover that even the coolest amongst us is still just cosplaying. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40024170

584 - Bob McTavish : Part Three 02/05/2026

584 - Bob McTavish : Part Three In today’s show Bob McTavish attributes his biggest design epiphanies to the evolution of the surfboard fin, and each of those to a personal relationship that sparked his inspiration. He shares how Dave Rastovich altered his perception on hydrodynamics, reveals the unfathomable generosity of Bill Bahne, the ingenuity of Tom Morey and Carl Pope, explains how the Sydney ferry and Greenough’s tuna fishing’s influenced fin design, reflects on surfing Noosa before the streets were paved, preaches the supremacy of asymmetry, reflects on the birth of the body board, and how Bunker Spreckles’ El Rollos’ altered his rail designs. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/40021000

357 - The Grit! January 30, 2026 01/30/2026

357 - The Grit! January 30, 2026 In today’s show Chas and David learn the embarrassing reason that dog owners evolve to look like their pets, celebrate JJF’s decision to stay off Tour and blueprint how the WSL could entice him back, discover that Influencers don’t know what a barrel is, unlock the “sports board” as a new genre, reminisce on the “Playboy” era of the ASP, and learn why napkin dispensers are a blight on the environment. Plus Barrel or Nah?! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39938580

443 - Spit! January 28, 2026 01/28/2026

443 - Spit! January 28, 2026 In today’s show Scott and David introspect on whether their surfing will ever improve again or whether the act is even about riding waves any longer, they then delve into Slater’s underperformance in SITD, the poor surf and the inevitability of it ending in a wave pool, and the boys disagree on whether JJF latest announcement will bode as a net gain or loss for surfing collectively. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39911700

356 - The Grit! January 23, 2026 01/23/2026

356 - The Grit! January 23, 2026 In today’s show David and Chas learn a life lesson about forming snap judgments, question Kelly’s truest motive with Stab In The Dark, learn what will be lost if JBay gets cancelled, discover that Pedro Scooby is the least disgusting part of his new McDonalds ad, learn which pro surfer is a doppelgänger for Stevie Janowski, and decide whether you should take fitness advice from Shane Dorian. Plus Barrel or Nah?! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39857170

583 - Randy Hild: A Life Built On Boardshorts 01/21/2026

583 - Randy Hild: A Life Built On Boardshorts In today’s show surf biz stalwart Randy Hild details the various false starts at Roxy prior to the inception of their industry-disrupting female boardshort, the tension between scaling and brand authenticity, which parts of the Golden Era were fake and inflated, how a serendipitous Swap Meet discovery led to him becoming an inadvertent surf history archivist, and why 1953 Makaha would be his ultimate time travel destination. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39816800

355 - The Grit! January 16, 2026 01/16/2026

355 - The Grit! January 16, 2026 In today’s episode Chas and David muster the courage to face their biggest childhood foes, they influence Kai Lenny into prone enlightenment, introspect about their desires to shame surf influencers out of the lineup, ask ChatGPT to help consolidate their quivers, and determine if it’s ever okay to take a mint board on a surf trip. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39762870

582 - Bob McTavish: Part Two 01/15/2026

582 - Bob McTavish: Part Two In today’s episode Bob McTavish explains how one of his most iconic designs came to him in a dream and Joey Cabell’s influence in it, he shares the inception of the swallowtail, his afternoon spent with Duke Kahanamoku, the epiphany he had at Rincon in 1967, why he renounced competition for a mortgage and children, climbing out of suffocating debt with an assist from the cast of Jackass, the board he most recently made for Kelly, and reveals the unsung surf heroes who most influenced his journey. Part Two of Surf Splendor with Bob McTavish is now available on all podcast platforms. /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39751110

441 - Spit! January 14, 2026 01/14/2026

441 - Spit! January 14, 2026 In today’s episode Scott and David delve deep into the shapers personalities and tensions competing for the crown at Stab In The Dark X, character clashes, old rivalries revitalized, attempted marketing campaigns thwarted, and a shocking amount of design variation within a tight 27.5 liters, plus Kelly offers insights into recovery and optimization, and a 25 year old DJ takes December’s Wave of the Winter title at Pipe. Plus Dukes, Kooks, and more! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39730805

581 - Bob McTavish: Part One 01/12/2026

581 - Bob McTavish: Part One In today’s episode Bob McTavish shares stories from surfing in an era prior to foam cores and surf wax, charts the path from dropping out of school to surf, to being homeless with only $10 to his name, to stowing away on a ship to Hawaii for the North Shore winter, the jail time that resulted, and he reveals the only two surfboards he’s ever purchased in his life. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39700130

354 - The Grit! January 9, 2026 01/09/2026

354 - The Grit! January 9, 2026 In today’s show Chas and David examine the Blood Feud between former surf comic Jonathan Wayne Freeman and Simmons acolyte @Hydrodynamica, seeking to understand the moment wherein ideology rewires what one’s eye’s witness, they seek enlightenment in pursuit of Kelly Slater’s ayahuasca journey, discover their own narrative arc paralleling that of The Grinch, feel the pang of frothstration, and uncover the inverse relationship between polyamory and collecting surfboards. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39678615

440 - Spit! January 9, 2025 01/09/2026

440 - Spit! January 9, 2025 In today’s show David and Scott share the historic and untold stories shared by PT and Shaun Tomson at Surf Expo, dive into the influential showmanship of Peter Drouyn, spill spoilers from the upcoming Stab In The Dark x Kelly Slater, review day one of Da Hui Backdoor Shootout, and survey what boards and brands sold best in 2025. Plus Dukes and Kooks! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39673400

353 - The Grit! January 2, 2025 01/02/2026

353 - The Grit! January 2, 2025 In today’s show David and Chas pick up the pieces from NYE and embark on the New Year with intel about Tom Curren’s hair dye, a new crown and title at Pipeline, a major shift from CT Champs that devalues legacy surf brands and spikes value in one surfer-owned brand, Jack Robinson offers you financial advice, shapers offer religious guidance, and we all learn difference between “butt hurt” and butt pleasure. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39596580

439 - Spit! December 31, 2025 12/31/2025

439 - Spit! December 31, 2025 In today’s show Scott and David pay homage to the pervasive Hoffman family legacy in California surfing, breakdown the massive sponsor disruptions in the top tier of men’s surfing and what it reveals about surf industry economics, discuss the savvy and bias agenda to select a “Best Of The Year”, and bid a final farewell to the surfing great’s who kick out in 2025. Happy New Year and enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39577475

352 - The Grit! December 26, 2025 12/26/2025

352 - The Grit! December 26, 2025 In today’s show David and Chas recap the glory of Christmas and ponder the possibility of The Lost Week, count the number of times they’ve executed what they intended to do while surfing, survey two recent surfing Blood Feuds, perplex over Curren’s hair color, Julian’s shift to LGBTQ-friendly leisurewear, and map a winning plan for NYE. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39538860

580 - Jeff Divine 12/24/2025

580 - Jeff Divine Surf photographer and photo editor Jeff Divine’s imagery has largely framed our perspective on North Shore surfing from the 70s and 80s. Today he shares stories from the era defining Expression Session in 1971, reveals that he didn’t befriend Gerry Lopez until a decade after they had helped build one another’s careers, he discusses how the inception of clothing brands altered surf mags editorial style, shares how to showcase personality through still imagery, the best photo he’s ever missed, and how he chose his last ever surf session. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39530040

438 - Spit! December 24, 2025 12/24/2025

438 - Spit! December 24, 2025 In today’s show Scott and David attempt to identify which surfer had the most impact in 2025, note new potential surfing world records, analyze the pattern of symbiotic worldwide surfboard design evolution, dive deep into Reno Abellira’s largely under appreciated contributions, and celebrate this season’s unofficial Triple Crown winners. Plus Dukes and Kooks! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39529130

351 - The Grit! December 18, 2025 12/18/2025

351 - The Grit! December 18, 2025 In today’s show David and Chas discover why bodyboarding reigns supreme over surfing, learn the virtues of not getting paid, pro surfing gets litigious, JJF brands Pipeline and lobbies to become Mister, a pro surf Catfish stands trial for wanton domestic abuse, and learn why your mail carrier deserves a parting gift. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/surfsplendorpodcast/id/39460050

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